Hometown: Austin, Texas
Occupation: Attorney

Amanda, 30, is an attorney for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. She graduated magna cum laude from Texas Tech University with a bachelor's degree in public relations and earned a law degree from Texas Tech University's School of Law. During law school, Amanda served as an articles editor for the law review and participated in moot court activities. She interned with then Texas Supreme Court Justice Priscilla Owen and currently practices employment and medical malpractice law. Amanda was selected as "Woman of the Year" by the Waco, Texas chapter of Altrusa International, an association of professionals dedicated to volunteerism. An eye cancer survivor, Amanda devotes her time to community outreach and volunteering on various projects benefiting cancer research. She currently resides in Austin, Texas, with her husband Jason and dog Teddy.

When will you consider yourself "a success"?
I don't think there will ever be a point in which I will stop and declare "I am now a success." Success for me is an evolving process. I look for continued opportunities that allow me to keep on reaching, pushing, working, singing, and living, struggling to do the best I can every day. Life is fleeting, and for me true success is grabbing hold of every chance to grow and not looking back and lamenting lost opportunities.

How would you describe your leadership style?
I am very involved with the people I lead. I like to roll up my sleeves and get my hands dirty. I have no problem delegating work, but I want to make sure that the people working for me are going to perform in such a way I would be proud of. I have very high standards and expect that the people around me will work as hard as I do to achieve whatever goal we might be working toward. Success is rarely a solo effort, so I always strive to embrace the good ideas of others as well as doing all I can to motivate and inspire the people around me. One thing that is very important to me is to always remain approachable.

How do you deal with personal and professional challenges?
I would like to think I tackle any challenge with integrity and a certain amount of grace. Those challenges I have faced thus far in life, whether they are associated with work or my personal life, have forced me to grow as a person and have very much shaped who I am. I am grateful for challenges and struggles. Without challenges to the status quo, you don't realize the value of what you have been given.

What, in your opinion, is the most important quality to have in order to succeed in life and why?
I think you have to possess a certain combination of humility and optimism to truly be successful. No matter where you live, what your last name is, who you call your friends, or who designs your clothes, there is always a common denominator among people -- we all put our pants on one leg at a time. God doesn't care how much money is in your bank account or who your friends are. Those in this world whom I view as truly successful are people who remain positive about life and remember what is truly important, even in the wake of personal or professional tragedies. My motto is to always squeeze the most from the lemons life throws my way, add some fresh mint and a touch of sugar, and enjoy the results!

What's more important: College Education or Real World Experience?
Both are important. But if I were asked whether going to college or going straight into the workforce were the better option, I would certainly choose college. I think the value of a college education is incalculable. Everyone gains "real world experience" in his or her everyday life. However, higher education allows you the chance to learn from the mistakes and viewpoints of others so you don't have to reinvent the wheel. Going through the "college experience" also serves as a transition into the harshness of the working world. For me, it was very fulfilling to have worked my way through school, to have met the friends I did along the way, to have studied hard, and to have a couple of diplomas to show for it. Plus, college is way too fun to miss out on.

Have any previous Apprentice winners motivated or inspired you?
Although she didn't win, I think Amy Henry was probably one of the most inspiring candidates on The Apprentice thus far. Not only is she from Austin, but she seems to be quite multi-talented, upbeat, and very down-to-earth - someone I would love to meet for coffee and chat about everything from the business world to the business of parenting. I enjoy spending time with people who are not pretentious and have their own opinions about life.

How do you combine your creativity with your business savvy?
I think having a creative mind is essential to being a good attorney. There is rarely a specific law or case on point expressing exactly what you want it to say, so you are always trying to discover a way to maneuver your set of round facts into a square hole. Law is a constantly evolving process precisely because of the creativity and ingenuity of attorneys, arguing that legal theory should be stretched one way or another depending on the particular case. It requires a great deal of creativity to come up with an overall theme for a case that will resonate with jurors and judges alike. For me, whether I am approaching a complex legal issue, leading a training session, counseling a client, managing a project, or even throwing a luncheon for the office, I always try to bring as much creativity to the table as I can. After all, who gets inspired by the mundane?

Faves;
Music: I have loved Oleta Adams as far back as I can remember. I will never forget throwing "Circle of One" in the tape player of my red station wagon in high school, rolling the windows down and singing along with her beautiful voice. I was consistently made fun of for listening to Harry Connick, Jr. instead of the much more popular rock bands of that time, but it didn't matter to me. I still love listening to both of them. Although there's no way to possibly list them all, a few other artists and bands I enjoy listening to include Joss Stone, Mindy Smith, Eva Cassidy, Lyle Lovett, Ottmar Liebert, The Dave Matthews Band, Frank Sinatra, and the Stones. I also love opera, especially Puccini and Verde.
Books: Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand; A Circle of Quiet, by Madeleine L'Engle; The Book of Ecclesiastes; Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte; Atonement, by Ian McEwan; The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, by C.S. Lewis; and The Purpose-Driven Life, by Rick Warren.
TV: "I Love Lucy" is by far my favorite television show. However, I do watch The Apprentice, Scrubs, and Alias. I think Jennifer Garner named her dog after Martha Stewart, so perhaps being a fan of Martha is something I have in common with one of my favorite TV stars!
Movies: Adam's Rib, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Four Weddings and a Funeral, A Beautiful Mind, Star Wars, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and The Sound of Music.

Quote: "When it comes to my work product, my Martha quality is perfectionism."